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If you are planning to buy land to build a home in the Baca, there are a number of things to learn before you start your project. Listed at the end of this text are the names of the organizations and their addresses and phone numbers that you will need to contact for different aspects of your building project.
First, the Baca is governed by the Baca Grande Property Owners’ Association (POA). There are Covenants and Restrictions (C & R’s) and Environmental and Architectural guidelines (E & A’s) governing all building projects in the Baca, which are enforced by the POA. There are setbacks, height limits, minimum square footage requirements and a number of other requirements. These guidelines were established because there are no specific building codes required through the county.
Before you purchase land here, we strongly encourage you to obtain a copy of the C & R’s and E & A’s so that these considerations can be part of your informed decision to buy property.
In addition to approving all new building, the POA maintains the amenities: greenbelts, parks, riding stable, volunteer fire department, emergency medical team, library and maintenance shop. The POA also provides road maintenance and snow removal to existing houses. An annual fee of $400 per lot supports the provision of these amenities and services.
There is an Environmental and Architectural Control Committee that all building plans must be submitted to for review and approval. A new construction and modification application package can be obtained from the POA. This package contains many construction rules and guidelines. There is a minimum $500 application fee when you submit your building plans.
All building plans and modifications are reviewed by the E & A Committee. Committee members visit the building site at different stages in the building process. They will do a final inspection when the project is at or near completion.
A building permit must be obtained from the Saguache County Land Use Department, 719-655-2321, and filed before the start of new construction. There is a fee based on the square footage of the building.
Contact information for the POA:
Baca Grande Property Owners’ Association
PO Box 237 - Crestone, CO 81131
Phone: 719-256-4171
Fax: 719-256-4173
Website: www.bacapoa.org
The Chalets (I, II and III)
The Chalets are divided into three sections. This is the area of the Baca that is treed and at the base of the mountains.
Lot size: approximately one half acre
Water and sewer: Available to most lots (in the street in front of the lot); supplied by the Baca Grande Water and Sanitation District (BGWSD), which is a special taxing district. If lines are not in existence, there will be a charge to the lot owner. Costs will depend on how close existing water and sewer lines are to the lot. For an estimate of approximate cost, contact the BGWSD, or more general information on the district and its policies is available from the district’s office at:
Baca Grande Water and Sanitation District
PO Box 84 - Crestone, CO 81131
Phone: 719-256-4310
Website: www.bacawater.com
There is a $5,000 tap fee, payable to BGWSD, in order to be connected to the water and sewer service. On July 1, 2007 this fee will increase to $7,500. Most lots have this fee paid. However, it is necessary to verify this with the BGWSD. There is also a meter hookup fee of $1,000.
Houses: Cost of water and sewer service is $42/month minimum (2007 rate) and is metered.
Other annual fees from BGWSD:
$9.00/year fire hydrant fee
$40.00/year charged to every lot within 100 feet of water and/or sewer
$21.00/year charged to every lot as system improvement fee
Electricity: Available to most lots but must be verified by:
San Luis Valley Rural Electric Company (SLVRE) @ 1-800-332-7634
Phone: Available to most lots. If not available, installation cost will be passed on to the consumer. For estimates call: Fairpoint Communictions @ 719-378-2231
Annual Taxes: (2005 rates)
Chalet I Lots $174.26 - $205.95
Chalet II Lots $158.42
Chalet III Lots $190.12
The Grants
The Grants is the area of the Baca Grande that opens out into the valley and features home sites that have more panoramic views of the mountains. The land is mostly open with few trees, and lends itself well to “living off the grid.”
Lot size: One to five or more acres
Water and sewer: Each individual lot owner is responsible for drilling a well and installing an approved septic system. The Colorado Division of Water Resources in Alamosa 719-589-6683, issues in house use only well permits for the Grants. Septic permits are available from Saguache County Land Use Department 719-655-2321.
Electricity: Same as the Chalets. There is electric service available to a portion of the Grants lots. However, a large part of the Grants does not have service available currently. We recommend calling San Luis Valley Rural Electric (SLVRE) at 1-800-332-7634 to confirm availability and costs to individual lots.
Phone: Same as Chalets. Phone service is only available to a portion of the Grants lots. Call Fairpoint Communictions @ 719-378-2231 for details.
Annual Taxes: (2005 Rates) - $102.17 per lot
Casita Park
(Mobile Home Estates)
This is an area located several miles from the main entrance to the Baca Grande that is set aside for mobile homes, as well as modular homes and conventional homes. The area is open, with few trees and wonderful mountain views.
Lot size: approximately 1/6 acre
Water and sewer: Same as Chalets. Most lots have the tap fee paid, but some do not. If unpaid, the tap fee is $5,000.
Other fees from BGWSD:
$9.00/year fire hydrant fee
$40.00/year charged to every lot within 100 feet of water and/or sewer
$21.00/year charged to every lot as system improvement fee
Electricity: Same as Chalets. Line availability needs to be verified by SLV Rural Electric at 1-800-332-7634.
Phone: Same as Chalets. Contact Fairpoint Communictions @ 719-378-2231 for details.
Annual taxes: (2005 rates) - $88.72 per lot
Please note that all of this information is subject to change, and we encourage
you to contact the necessary organizations listed above to get the most up-to-
date information.
Wooddora-Rose Eisenhauer, Broker
Rose Realty of Crestone / Baca LLC
PO Box 489, Crestone CO 81131
crestonerose@fairpoint.net
phone: 719.256.5500
fax: 719.256.5555